Ron Jeremy, Get Well Soon!

Yesterday, we were all sad to hear that Ron Jeremy is in the hospital, suffering from a serious heart ailment. Word in the media spread quickly; for friends and fans, it’s a big deal because Ron is part of the history and fabric of this industry.

Four years ago, when he received the FSC Positive Image Award, it was one in a long list of awards and accolades that Ron has received over the years. He’s been in the business since 1978. He’s the most recognizable “porn star” alive, though these days many of the fans that love him have probably never watched one of his scenes.

Ronnie transcends genres and generations. IMBD says he’s appeared in more than 800 adult films, but the actual count is probably more than 2,000. He has a BA in theater and also in education. He plays a mean harmonica and he used to go hang-gliding, back when that was a popular sport. He was real before “reality TV” was trendy, on “The Surreal Life” in 2004. He’s achieved cult status with college kids in 1999’s “Boondock Saints” and 1997’s “Orgazmo.”

Aside from the movie star credits, Ron works all the time and travels relentlessly. He speaks at churches and university debates, always offering a pro-adult perspective to the public discourse. Ron also appears at numerous charity functions, especially animal charities. He’s been a high profile spokesman for Peta and is well known as an advocate for animals.  But it’s not just animals; it’s underprivileged children, or kids with cancer, or Haitian relief efforts – because Ron is just a genuinely nice guy.

Those that know him know that he will stop in a crowd, for a fan, to say “hello” to someone’s surprised uncle or mother on a cellphone, in the middle of an aisle at a show. He’s just that kind of person, and that’s what makes him the goodwill ambassador for adult entertainment. There is no one on earth quite like Ron Jeremy.

News on social media yesterday from agent Mike Esterman said Ron was resting comfortably following two surgeries.

Ron, the Free Speech Coalition Board members and staff send heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery, and we know that many friends and fans are wishing you well.

(Photo: Courtesy  © Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com)

AHF Comments on Steamray Studios CalOSHA Fines are Predictably Inflammatory

Recent comments by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) on a Cal-OSHA case involving adult producer Steamray Studios are predictably inflammatory, said Free Speech Coalition today.

“Yet another attempt by Weinstein to cloud the issue and cause concern for adult producers and performers, in order to garner more media attention for his organization and its anti-adult campaign to drive adult film businesses out of Los Angeles County,” said FSC CEO Diane Duke.

Any complaint filed with state workplace safety agency Cal-OSHA should not be confused with enforcement of the Los Angeles “Safer Sex” in Adult Productions ordinance, the recently passed law that was funded solely by AHF.

Two weeks ago, adult production company Vivid Entertainment, performers Kayden Kross and Logan Pierce filed suit challenging the L.A. County “Safer Sex” Ordinance in federal court.

Interestingly the Cal-OSHA complaint supports the adult industry’s stance that the State has jurisdiction over such issues—not the County.

FSC advises concerned adult producers to consult with their legal counsel on issues related to health & safety compliance. FSC members can obtain a copy of the FSC Bloodbourne Pathogen Plan for Adult Producers by contacting Joanne@freespeechcoalition.com

FSC Booth at AEE Spreads Awareness, Raises Funds for Opposition to Measure B

(l – r) Attorney LeTigre Cahill, performers Kimberly Kane, Amber Lynn, Jessie Jane, Teagan Presley, Charlotte Stokely and Tanya Tate

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) traveled to Las Vegas last week to attend the 30^th Annual Adult Entertainment Expo, where the adult industry trade association hosted a booth to spread awareness and raise funds for opposition to the Los Angeles County “Safer Sex” in Adult Productions ordinance or, as it is more commonly known, Measure B.

The booth offered fans a grab bag of adult goodies, in exchange for a minimum donation with all funds going to the legal efforts against Measure B. Adult businesses including Vivid Entertainment, Wicked Pictures, Adam & Eve, Hustler, Girlfriend Films, MetArt, Manwin, LA Direct Models and The Screaming O contributed items for the gift bags, and AVN Magazine donated booth space in a show of unified support for the suit recently filed against Measure B in federal district court. Funds raised from these donations totaled nearly $4,000.

“We are very grateful to the businesses that contributed to the bags – the fans were thrilled to get a big bag full of DVDs, T-shirts, hats, sex toys, a calendar, and other goodies,” said FSC Communications Director Joanne Cachapero. “Many were curious about Measure B. Once they understood that the law means a lot more than just condom use – that it actually means regulation of a problem that doesn’t exist and that Measure B could drive producers underground to places where there is no way to regulate production, the fans were more than happy to donate what they could. Several said they thought the law was stupid and said the industry should move to another area.”

The booth also featured a stellar roster of adult stars signing for fans, including Amber Lynn, Julia Ann, Dyanna Lauren, Jessica Drake, Teagan Presley, Kylie Ireland, Kimberly Kane, Aiden Starr, Charlotte Stokely, Tanya Tate, Caroline Pierce, Raylene, Amber Rayne, Sheena Ryder, Natalia Starr and Christie Stevens.

“All these stars volunteered their time to work at the booth and ask for donations. We know that all of them were very busy during the show – FSC appreciates their participation so much,” Cachapero added. “It was great that they got to see lots of fans, but they also told the public and media why they are against Measure B, from the perspective of performers. It’s really important that people know the truth about what Measure B will do to performers and how the condom law threatens freedoms important to performers and the public.”

Lawyers for Vivid Entertainment, performers Kayden Kross and Logan Pierce recently filed suit in federal district court against the Los Angeles County “Safer Sex” in Adult Production Ordinance.

XBIZ Awards Show Fundraisers Brings More Than $80K for Opposition to Measure B, ASACP

The XBIZ Awards held on January 11 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City, CA, paid tribute to the adult industry’s best and brightest, with a gala red carpet event and elegant awards presentation.

Midway through the evening’s festivities, a fundraiser was staged on behalf of two adult industry nonprofits, Free Speech Coalition (FSC) and Adult Sites Against Child Pornography (ASACP). A call-to-action was issued from the stage by industry leaders XBIZ founder Alec Helmy, Girlfriend Films’ VP Moose, MetArt founder Amnon Lisbona and FSC CEO Diane Duke, on behalf of FSC’s opposition to the Los Angeles County “Safer Sex” in Adult Productions ordinance (Measure B), as well as ASACP’s efforts against child pornography on the Internet.

The following adult companies donated during the fundraiser: XBIZ, Adam & Eve, Orbital Pay, The Screaming O, AEBN, ATKingdom, Fleshlight, MetArt, Springtown, Mansion Productions, Brazzers, California Exotic Novelties, Clips4Sale, Eldorado Trading Co., FUBAR Magazine, Gamelink, Girlfriend Films, HotMovies, Mobius Payments, MojoHost, New Sensations, Paradise Marketing, SexToy.com and Venus. Adult performers Sunny Lane, Sophie Dee and Bonnie Rotten also donated, bringing contributions to $40,7000.

An additional surprise pushed contributions over-the-top when it was announced that an anonymous donor had agreed to match the contributed amount, bringing the evening’s total to more than $80,000.

“It’s not often that the industry is brought together in a unified show of support, but FSC appreciates the opportunity presented by the XBIZ Awards, Alec Helmy, Moose from Girlfriend Films and Amnon at Met Art, and we are very grateful to all the businesses and individuals that donated to both of these important industry organizations. The money goes to support FSC programs and legal efforts,” FSC’s Duke commented.

XBIZ’s Helmy later stated, “We were honored to provide a special forum to raise funds for these two critically important industry organizations. We want to express our sincere gratitude to both FSC and ASACP for all they do to protect our industry.”

FSC Announces New Members to Board of Directors

FSC is proud to announce new members to its Board of Directors. The Board election was open to all active FSC members and was held during the end of December into the first part of January.

Incumbent board members that were re-elected include Alec Helmy, Reed Lee, Lynn Swanson, Peter Acworth, Jeffrey Douglas, Sid Grief, Joel Kaminsky, and Mark Kernes.

Vivid Entertainment Vice President of Production and Licensing Marci Hirsch is newly elected to the FSC Board.

“I have been fortunate enough to work with Marci on the Measure B campaign and subsequent litigation. She is brilliant, a hard worker, well-connected and brings a strong business component to the Board,” said FSC CEO Diane Duke. “Those skills coupled with her enthusiasm and leadership ability make her a valuable addition to FSC’s Board.”

Members of the board in good standing include Bob Christian, Larry Garland, Kara Price and Christian Mann bringing the total number of seats to 13.

Adult Entertainment Industry Files Suit Challenging Measure B

Lawyers for the adult entertainment industry filed suit today in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California challenging the recently passed Measure B which makes it mandatory for adult actors to wear condoms while shooting adult films in LA County.

The complaint states that Measure B is unnecessary because of rigorous and effective self-regulation by the adult industry and that it imposes an unconstitutional system of prior restraint in violation of the First Amendment.  Numerous provisions of Measure B are excessively vague and burdensome, and thus place an intolerable restriction on freedom of expression.  The lawsuit also challenges the County’s jurisdiction to regulate adult production on performer health and safety.

The adult industry plaintiffs include adult production company Vivid Entertainment along with adult performers Kayden Kross and Logan Pierce.  “Overturning this law is something I feel very passionate about.  I believe the industry’s current testing system works well, said Steven Hirsch, founder/co-chairman of Vivid.  “Since 2004 over 300,000 explicit scenes have been filmed with zero HIV transmission.  The new law makes no sense and it imposes a government licensing regime on making films that are protected by the Constitution.  Measure B will have vast unintended consequences which may undermine industry efforts to protect the health of our actors and actresses.”

Attorneys Paul Cambria of Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria, Louis Sirkin of Santen Hughes, and Bob Corn-Revere of Davis Wright Tremaine are representing the plaintiffs.  Mr. Cambria stated that this Law not only infringes on free expression but rather than protect performers as it currently does it will drive production overseas or off shore where no protection exists.

Arrow Productions, Deep Throat Digital Auction ‘Golden Age’ Adult Movie Posters

Arrow Productions and Deep Throat Digital celebrate the history of sex with an online auction for limited edition original adult film posters from the 1970s era.

After uncovering a small cache of sexual history artifacts, Arrow Productions called upon its sales and licensing arm Deep Throat Digital to bring the artwork to market. Pieces include original artwork from “California Gigolo,” two Gail Palmer films and more. The films capture the popularity of the legendary “Johnny Wadd” actor John C Holmes.

The posters, which were intentionally more ‘tame’ in flavor than their X-rated movie subject matter, used to hang with pride in the glassed-in marquees of the adult walk-in movie theaters that dotted busy streets in major cities across the USA and abroad.

Four of these limited edition poster art pieces have been professionally framed and prepared for the public Internet auction, which launched this morning, Thursday Jan 3, 2013, and will run for ten days, ending Sunday, Jan 13, 2013, at 11pm, EST.

For the gentleman or alpha superstar who has everything for their man cave, we invite you to have a look and consider owning a piece of sexual and free speech history in the form of art that can look smashing, even above the perfect couch or easy chairs.

In terms of the shopping environment for this rare collection, the Auctionopia platform was chosen based upon its unique web auction environment, which includes built-in social media sharing and instant messaging tools, as well as its use of PayPal for the financial security of all parties involved in high value internet purchases.

A portion of the net auction proceeds from each piece will be donated to Free Speech Coalition.

To view items for sale and place a bid, visit AdultMoviePosters.com.

For more information about the Deep Throat movies, other Arrow Productions films, vintage content licensing and brand licensing opportunities, as well as your own historical sexual artifact auctions email posters@deepthroatdigital.com or visit DeepThroatDigital.com.